Its Director-General is a serving two-star general officer of the Pakistan Army, and is located at Chaklala cantonment. However, as an inter-services organisation it is overseen by the Joint Services Headquarters, and works closely with the Strategic Plans Division (SPD).

In 2000, it was reported that DESTO had achieved a major breakthrough in ammunition technology by developing ammunition for 120 mmmortar. DESTO's programme had ingeniously developed and manufactured ammunition for 120 mm mortar which has almost doubled the range of conventional ammunition with very less cost effect. Further tests were carried out by DESTO to check the technology and it enhanced the range of all artillery ammunition up to 30%.[12]